A MUCH loved Alsatian dog is making good progress after being terribly burned in a house fire.

Lady was buried under a blanket of flaming ceiling tiles, when the cottage caught alight.

Owner Cyril Bond, 77, managed to rescue his other dog Toby, but was forced out by the smoke when he tried to find Lady.

Fire-fighters eventually found her buried in the debris. She was taken to Rosemullion Vets at Camborne for emergency treatment, and is now undergoing long-term care at Cornwall Animal Hospital at Treleigh.

Horrendous

She suffered severe burns all along her spine and down one side of her body.

Amanda Manley, a vet at Cornwall Animal Hospital, said: "Lady had horrendous injuries, which became infected. We treated the burns with Manuka honey and we are changing her dressings every two days.

"She would never have survived without treatment. They are very painful injuries, but she's a very good-natured dog. She needs long-term treatment which we are providing at cost."

Mr Bond was in the shower when he smelt burning from an infra-red sauna. Moments later the curtains were on fire and before he knew it the whole of the first floor was ablaze.

He raced downstairs to get a bucket of water, but realised the fire was too severe.

He grabbed poodle Toby and called for Lady, but she did not come.

He managed to flee the house and then waited outside for the emergency services which had been called by a neighbour.

"I told the firemen that my Alsatian was still inside the cottage, and then I was taken off to hospital," said Mr Bond.

"About half-an-hour later, a nurse came into the treatment room and told me Lady had been found and she was on oxygen. I was over the moon.

"When I thought about it afterwards, I remember kicking something soft under the tiles as I was escaping. It must have been her.

"Unfortunately, my parrot didn't survive."

Mr Bond, who has kept Alsatians for 50 years, took Lady on three years ago as a rescue dog.

He said: "I had given up hope of seeing her again. I'm so relieved to have her back . I am very, very close to her.

Mr Bond, of Stithians, will have to live in temporary accommodation for up to 12 months, while his cottage is rebuilt, but he is pleased that there was a happy ending to the drama.

He said: "Lady is making a good recovery. She was a little quiet for a while but she's getting her spirit back now. I can't thank the Fire Brigade and Cornwall Animal Hospital enough for what they have done."

If anyone would like to make a donation towards Lady's on-going veterinary care, please ring 01209 313214.